Great Southern Copper - Tests Confirm Excellent Metallurgy Recovery
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
RNS Number : 5513V
Great Southern Copper PLC
21 September 2026
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE UK VERSION OF THE MARKET
ABUSE REGULATION NO 596/2014 WHICH IS PART OF ENGLISH LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN (WITHDRAWAL)
ACT 2018, AS AMENDED. ON PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE,
THIS INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
21 September 2026
Great Southern Copper plc
(“GSC” or the “Company”)
Tests Confirm Excellent Cu and Ag Metallurgy Recovery and Concentrate Results for
Composite Samples of Mostaza High-Grade Mineralisation
Recoveries exceed 90% for Cu and 85% for Ag producing a concentrate grading 27% Cu and 1,414g/t Ag
Great Southern Copper plc (LSE: GSCU), the company focused on copper-gold-silver exploration in Chile, is pleased to
announce results for its preliminary metallurgical test-work on high-grade samples of the Mostaza Cu-Ag deposit
completed by Chile-based metallurgical firm Aminpro, specialists in mineral processing for copper, gold and silver. The
Mostaza deposit is located at the Cerro Negro prospect, part of the Company’s Especularita project.
Highlights:
Metallurgical tests on two samples of high-grade mineralisation from the Mostaza deposit (grading 5.09% Cu
and 279g/t Ag) achieved high recoveries exceeding 90% for copper (“Cu”) and 85% for silver (“Ag”) resulting in
a final concentrate with grades averaging 27% Cu and 1,414 g/t Ag which equates very well to known copper
mines in Chile
Recoveries for Cu and Ag may be further improved with optimisation of grinding and regrinding conditions
Mineralogy tests confirm chalcocite is the dominant copper species explaining the high Mostaza copper
grades since chalcocite comprises nearly 80% copper compared with 34.5% for chalcopyrite
Further test-work is now planned for drill-core samples across a broader range of Cu-Ag grades
GSC holds rights to own 100% of the Cerro Negro prospect which is part of the Especularita Project
Prospect located at low elevation with excellent access to infrastructure and mining services and along trend
of major copper deposits including Los Pelambres, Altar and El Pachon
Sam Garrett, Chief Executive Officer of Great Southern Copper, said: "GSC’s Mostaza copper-silver discovery keeps
delivering. These outstanding results represent the next important step in the deposit’s progress to a potential
resource, and ultimately, development.
“This first metallurgical test programme on the high-grade mineralisation from Mostaza has indicated that a
conventional flotation recovery process could be highly effective in concentrating the prospective ore into a copper-
silver concentrate product. The tests achieved recoveries of over 90% for copper and 85% for silver, producing
concentrate grades averaging 27% Cu and 1,414g/t Ag.
“We are particularly encouraged that there is scope to improve recoveries further by optimising grinding and
regrinding conditions in the metallurgical process which would add to what is already a very positive first result.
“We are very confident in moving to the next stage of test-work on drill-core composites testing a wider range of
copper-silver grades. This work will comprise as part of the Phase IV drilling programme which we anticipate to
commence within the next month.”
Mostaza mine, Cerro Negro prospect:
In 2025, GSC discovered high-grade Cu-Ag mineralisation beneath the historical Mostaza mine at the Cerro Negro
prospect in Chile1
. On-going exploration, including three phases of diamond and RC drilling for 6,658 metres (“m”), is
establishing that the Cu-Ag mineralisation, with associated Pb-Zn, is related to a porphyry-epithermal system – an
observation consistent with the prospects location at the eastern margin of the La Colorada lithocap, which is the
Company’s principal geological indicator for porphyry copper style mineralisation within its Especularita Project.
The Cerro Negro prospect, including the historical Mostaza mine, is located at low altitude within the Cretaceous-aged
coastal metallogenic belt of northern Chile that includes large-scale copper mines and development projects including
Carmen de Andacollo and El Espino (Figure 1). Significantly, the project is also located within a northwest-southeast
trending structural lineament that links Especularita with notable large-scale porphyry Cu-Au mines and projects,
including Los Pelambres, Altar-Piuquenes and El Pachon (Figure 1).
Figure 1: GSC’s Especularita project is located at low altitude within the coastal metallogenic belt of northern Chile and
within 50km radius of over 85Mt of contained copper metal defined in mines and advanced projects.
Sampling of composites for test-work:
Santiago-based Aminpro Chile SpA was selected to receive, blend and prepare the Mostaza composite samples as well
as carry out the designed metallurgical test-work, while SGS Mineralogy, also of Santiago, was selected for the
quantitative mineralogy test-work. The design and supervision of the sighter test programme was conducted by
Santiago-based consulting metallurgist Mr. Jerry Perkins [FAusIMM(CPmet)].
For the metallurgical test, a high copper grade “chalcocite” composite sample was prepared from composites made up
from the assay reject materials of three high-grade drill intervals; M-5c, M-15a and M-16a (Table 1), while leaving
sufficient material from each so that they could later be tested individually.
The grades of the 3 composites ranged from 4.7% to 5.5% Cu and 340g/t to 450g/t Ag (Table 1).
Composite Drill Hole
From
(m) To (m)
Interval
(m)
Mass
(kg)
Cu
(%)
Ag
(g/t)
M-5c DD005 43.00 52.00 9.0 10.0 4.8 420
M-15a DD015 41.15 51.05 9.9 9.9 5.5 450
M-16a DD016 89.00 96.50 7.5 7.0 4.7 340
Table 1: Summary details of three composite samples prepared from coarse assay reject material of the Mostaza
diamond drill holes.
Metallurgical test-work and results (Aminpro Chile SpA):
Based on the mineralogy (SGS test-work results) and current process knowledge and practices, it was decided to test;
1. Head grade assay analysis,
2. Conventional sulphide rougher flotation test at a similar grind size to the mineralogical work results,
3. Coarse agitation leaching with sulphuric acid and salt at elevated temperatures,
according to the experimental flowsheet summarised in Figure 2 below.
Figure 2: Experimental flowsheet for metallurgical test-work (Aminpro Chile SpA). Source: Aminpro report.
Head grade analysis:
Head chemical analysis of the high-grade “chalcocite” composite returned grades of 5.09% Cu and 279 g/t Ag. Copper
speciation showed that cyanide-soluble copper was the predominant fraction (3.85%), followed by residual (0.97%)
and acid-soluble copper (0.15%). Iron, arsenic and sulphur contents were 0.68%, 0.27% and 1.72%, respectively.
Flotation testwork:
Prior to the flotation test, a grinding kinetics test was first conducted to establish the grinding time required to
produce a nominal pulp size fraction of P80 of 180 μm (>80% sample passing 180 μm mesh) for flotation testing. The
procedure consisted of grinding subsamples for different time intervals, followed by particle size analysis using a Ro-
Tap sieve shaker. The required grinding time was determined by interpolation of the experimental P80 values.
Based on the grinding kinetics results, the target particle size of P80 = 180 μm corresponded to a grinding time of
19.64 minutes, which was subsequently adopted for all flotation tests.
Batch rougher flotation tests were then conducted to evaluate the flotation performance of the high-grade
“chalcocite” composite sample. A corresponding test on a duplicate sample of the composite was also conducted to
verify the repeatability of the selected operating conditions.
Representative portions of the composite were ground to the target particle size of P80 = 180 μm prior to flotation.
The ground pulp was adjusted to 33 wt% solids and floated at its natural pH of 9.1. A standard regime for copper
flotation in Chile was employed using reagents consisting of AP3894 (Thiocarbamate – 10g/t) added during grinding,
followed by PAX/SIPX (20 g/t) and MIBC (15 g/t) added during conditioning. Conditioning was carried out for 1 minute
before flotation.
Rougher flotation was performed over a total flotation time of 30 minutes, with concentrate fractions collected after
1, 3, 10 and 30 minutes to evaluate flotation kinetics. At the completion of each test, all concentrate fractions and the
final tailings were filtered, dried, weighed, and submitted for chemical analysis. Assays included sequential copper (Cu
Seq), iron (Fe), sulphur (S), silver (Ag) and arsenic (As) to establish metallurgical performance and complete mass
balances.
Results obtained for the tests include the particle size distributions of the flotation feed and final tailings, size-by-size
chemical characterisation, and the principal metallurgical performance indicators, including mass recovery,
concentrate grades and metal recoveries.
The results of the test recoveries and concentrate grades are summarised in Table 2 and Table 3 below:
Table 2: Flotation recovery results for Mostaza high-grade composite sample and duplicate.
Table 3: Concentrate grades for flotation tests of high-grade Mostaza composite sample and duplicate.
This non-optimised, standard flotation regime recovered 90+ % of the copper and 87% of the silver into a high grade
copper-silver concentrate. Metallurgically, the flotation of the two samples was almost identical demonstrating slightly
higher recoveries at a higher mass pull (duplicate sample), but with correspondingly lower grades.
An analysis of the elemental recovery by particle size by Aminpro indicated that higher recoveries may be achieved
with a finer grind, or alternatively by coarse particle scavenging and regrind.
Silver floated more slowly than copper and did not quite achieve the same recoveries. The metal is present in
tennantite and tetrahedrite, and in native form and also finely divided in and around chalcocite. However, silver
recoveries were also encouragingly high.
Leaching testwork:
Whilst precious metals (silver in the Mostaza case) are not economically recoverable by acid leaching of copper ores,
as a scoping test for the high grade composite, it was decided to carry out a bottle roll test on sample crushed to
minus 2mm and look for an indication of useful copper leaching at this relatively fine size. Heap leaching is widely
applied for low grade and non-chalcopyrite ores in Chile, where oxidised and transition copper ores are generally
agglomerated and leached using sulphuric acid, sometimes with additions of other reagents, typically chlorides.
Copper leaching occurs as a result of ferric-ferrous reactions within the heap, indicating that iron is needed in the
process.
The more successful heap leach trials in Chile are conducted using elevated temperatures, so this test was carried out
at 40o
C and 30% solids over a period of seven days. The pH was adjusted to 1.5 with sulphuric acid, and approximately
450kg/t of salt (sodium chloride) were added and ferrous sulphate to 5g/litre. Samples were taken at various times
each day to monitor the progress of copper dissolution and to maintain the required conditions using additional
reagents as necessary.
Copper leaching in the test occurred rapidly over the first day with 30% extraction, however it reached a plateau after
3 days and only very small additional amounts were dissolved. The ultimate copper recovery to solution was just
under 50% (a significantly lower result than achieved with the flotation test) - whilst an Aminpro model first order
kinetic model predicted a maximum extraction of 47% (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Cumulative copper extraction as a function of leaching time. Source: Aminpro report.
Quantitative mineralogy test-work and results (SGS Mineralogy):
The recommended mineralogy test-work programme for SGS comprised quantitative scanning electron microscopy to
identify textural associations and liberation characteristics of the contained minerals. This would then provide
information for potential beneficiation processes. SGS analysed the samples using their Tescan Tima platform.
Chalcocite (Cu2S) was confirmed to be by far the dominant copper mineral (78 – 83% of total copper deportment) in
the three samples (Table 4) with minor (1 – 5%) levels of bornite (Cu5FeS4). There was virtually no chalcopyrite and
very little pyrite in the tested samples. Tennantite (Cu12As4S13), an arsenic-rich copper mineral with up to 20% As, and
minor tetrahedrite (Cu12Sb4S13) were identified as the principal copper sulphosalts (10.5 – 17.5% of total copper)
carrying arsenic, antimony and silver.
By comparison to copper, scan results indicate that silver association is highly variable throughout the three high grade
composite samples, occurring associated with copper sulphides and sulfosalts, plus with silicate and phyllosilicate
minerals and as free silver.
Gangue minerals in the ore samples were variable and dominated by quartz, muscovite and orthoclase.
Sample Composite M-5b Composite M-5c
Composite M-
15a
Chalcopyrite 0.00 0.02 0.00
Chalcocite 1.70 3.70 5.13
Bornite 0.02 0.15 0.31
Covellite 0.01 0.01 0.01
Enargite 0.00 0.02 0.04
Tennantite 0.25 0.79 0.64
Tetrahedrite 0.05 0.04 0.02
Others 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 2.04 4.74 6.15
Sample Composite M-5b Composite M-5c
Composite M-
15a
Chalcopyrite 0.12 0.43 0.04
Chalcocite 83.29 78.14 83.37
Bornite 0.99 3.16 5.04
Covellite 0.46 0.27 0.14
Enargite 0.04 0.48 0.72
Tennantite 12.42 16.62 10.43
Tetrahedrite 2.68 0.89 0.26
Others 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00
Table 4: Summary of copper species deportment identified from scanning electron microscopy of Mostaza high grade
composite samples. Source: SGS report.
Next Steps:
The Phase IV drill programme is due to start within the next month and will include the next phase of metallurgic test-
work.
This sighter testwork utilised sample material from coarse rejects so as not to dilute the core inventory. Given the
highly encouraging results, future testwork will necessarily be conducted on core samples to satisfy JORC compliant
economic studies and will test a broader range of Cu-Ag grades. Dedicated metallurgical drill holes may be required to
satisfy on-going metallurgical studies.
In addition, Aminpro identified that optimisation of grinding and regrinding conditions warrants further investigation
as these areas may further improve copper and silver recoveries.
References:
1. RNS 5182Y (26 February 2026): Cerro Negro Assays return 20m of 3.3% Cu and 270g/t Ag
Engage with the GSC management team directly by asking questions, watching video summaries and seeing what
other shareholders have to say. Navigate to our Interactive Investor hub here: https://gscplc.com/
Enquiries:
Great Southern Copper plc https://gscplc.com/link/exdxJe
Sam Garrett, Chief Executive Officer +44 (0) 20 7138 3204
SI Capital Limited
Nick Emerson +44 (0) 1483 413500
BlytheRay
Megan Ray / James Mulligan +44 (0) 20 7138 3204
GSC@blytheray.com
Subscribe to our news alert service: https://gscplc.com/auth/signup
Notes for Editors:
About Great Southern Copper
Great Southern Copper PLC is a UK-listed mineral exploration company focused on the discovery of copper-gold-silver
deposits in Chile. The Company has the option to acquire mining rights to 100% of Especularita project in the under-
explored coastal belt of Chile that is prospective for large scale copper-gold-silver deposits. Chile is a globally
significant mining jurisdiction being the world’s largest producer and exporter of copper.
The Especularita Project is located in the coastal metallogenic belt of Chile which hosts significant copper mines and
deposits, including Teck’s Carmen de Andacollo copper mine, and boasts excellent access to infrastructure such as
roads, power and ports. Significant historical small-scale and artisanal workings for both copper and gold are readily
evident in the exploration project area. The coastal belt offers deposit type optionality for copper including porphyry
and IOCG style deposits as well as newly recognised intrusive-related copper and gold deposits.
Great Southern Copper is strategically positioned to support the global market for copper – a critical battery metal in
the clean energy transition around the world. The Company is actively engaged in exploration and evaluation work
programmes targeting both large tonnage, low to medium grade Cu-Au as well as high-grade Cu-Ag-Au deposits.
Further information on the Company is available on the Company’s website: https://gscplc.com
Competent Person Statement
The information in this announcement that relates to exploration results is based on and fairly represents information
reviewed or compiled by Mr Sam Garrett, a Competent Person who is a Member of the Australian Institute of
Geoscientists and a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists. Mr Perkins is a qualified metallurgist with over 50
years of experience and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the styles of mineralisation and types of deposit
under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012
Edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves". Mr
Perkins has provided his prior written consent to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on
information in the form and context in which it appears.
This announcement includes information that relates to Exploration Results prepared and first disclosed under the
JORC Code (2012) and extracted from the Company’s previous LSE announcements as noted, and the Company’s
Prospectus dated 20 December 2021. Copies of these announcements are available from the LSE Announcements
page of the Company’s website: www.gscplc.com.
The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information
included within the Prospectus dated 20 December 2021.
Forward Looking and Cautionary Statements
Some statements in this announcement regarding estimates or future events are forward-looking statements. They
include indications of, and guidance on, future earnings, cash flow, costs and financial performance. Forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, statements preceded by words such as “planned”, “expected”, “projected”,
“estimated”, “may”, “scheduled”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “potential”, "predict", "foresee", "proposed",
"aim", "target", "opportunity", “could”, “nominal”, “conceptual” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements,
opinions and estimates included in this report are based on assumptions and contingencies which are subject to
change without notice, as are statements about market and industry trends, which are based on interpretations of
current market conditions. Forward-looking statements are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied
on as a guarantee of future performance. Forward-looking statements may be affected by a range of variables that
could cause actual results to differ from estimated or anticipated results and may cause the Company’s actual
performance and financial results in future periods to materially differ from any projections of future performance or
results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. So, there can be no assurance that actual outcomes
will not materially differ from these forward-looking statements.
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